Bad breath, scientifically called halitosis, is a problem no one wants to have. Not only is bad breath unpleasant to others and makes a negative impression, it can also be a sign of underlying oral health issues.
If you want to banish bad breath and keep it away for good, you’ll need to make some changes and develop some good oral health habits. Here are 7 ways to prevent bad breath and keep it away.
1. Brush Your Teeth More Often.
How often do you brush your teeth? Once in the morning? Once at night? If you’re suffering from bad breath you may need to increase your brushing frequency to make sure you’re brushing away plaque from your teeth that feeds the bacteria that cause bad breath.
2. Floss Your Teeth.
Do you floss your teeth in addition to brushing? This is a commonly forgotten oral hygiene step, but it is one that can make a big difference in your breath. Even if you’re brushing regularly, you need to floss in order to reach and remove the plaque that builds up between your teeth and under the gum line.
3. Use Mouthwash.
Swishing with mouthwash at least once a day or between meals can eliminate bad breath by killing the bacteria in your mouth. Mouthwash, because it is a liquid, is able to reach even the smallest nooks and crannies of your mouth like in between teeth and in the pockets in your gums. Make sure you choose one that is designed to eliminate bacteria, not just cover up bad breath with a mint flavor.
4. Chew Sugarless Gum.
Chewing gum in between meals can also help to freshen bad breath. But be sure to chew sugarless gum because sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth that are causing the bad breath, which only makes it worse.
5. Keep Your Mouth from Getting Dry.
A dry mouth is more likely to cause bad breath, so keep your mouth moistened as much as possible by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. You can also use a humidifier in your home during the dry season to help prevent dry mouth. Avoid smoking and using tobacco products because they also cause mouth dryness.
6. Scrape/Brush Your Tongue.
A lot of the bacteria that causes bad breath actually live on your tongue, hiding among the bumps and taste buds. When you brush your teeth be sure to brush your tongue as well to remove as much of the bacteria as possible. Or use a tongue scraper, which is a device that is designed to remove bacteria from your tongue by making one sweep across the width of your tongue from back to front.
7. Visit Your Dentist Regularly.
Chronic bad breath can be a sign of an oral health issue, such as gum disease or cavities. Your dentist can treat the underlying issue causing your bad breath by cleaning your teeth, scraping your gums, filling cavities, and other corrective or restorative procedures.
Visit Smiles on the Upper West Side
If you truly want to banish bad breath and keep it away for good, proper oral care is an absolute necessity. Dr. Massiah and the staff at Smiles on the Upper West Side want to help eliminate your bad breath by treating it at the source. With regular cleanings and care from a dentist, your breath can stay fresh with just the basic at-home oral care between appointments and the 7 tips listed above.
Call (212) 222-5225 today to make an appointment at Smiles on the Upper West Side or request an appointment.